SOUDAN – Recreation and winter weather were a focus of the Breitung Township meeting held on Dec. 1.
With the return of winter cold, Maintenance Supervisor Tom Gorsma reported that preparations are underway at the hockey rink to get the ice and warming shack ready for the skating season. They are also planning to set Tuesday nights as pizza night at the rink.
Gorsma said the township is looking to recruit some adult volunteers to spend time at the warming shack and rink.
“We’re trying to get some volunteers helping to run the skating rink, so the kids who work up there get a day off,” he said.
Anyone interested in learning more about volunteering at the rink can call the town hall at 218-753-6020.
Gorsma also gave a report on the condition of the township’s roads.
“We know that they’re in terrible condition,” he said. Noting this is due to weather and lack of snowpack, he joked, “We’re hoping they get better by the Fourth of July.”

Tacos with Cops
Police Chief Dan Reing started off his report with good news from the recent “Tacos with Cops” meet and greet held on Oct. 8.
“The biggest thing in October,” Reing began, “was the ‘Tacos with Cops’. It was a real big hit, and we were happy to do it. We were very humbled by the turnout.” Reing said that within an hour and a half they ran out of tacos.
“It was crazy how many people showed up. I’m just blessed to be in this community with the support we have.”
Reing stated that they hope to hold the event again next year and will have more tacos to go around.
In regular police business, Reing reported that October was much calmer than summer, which he termed “crazy busy.”

McKinley Park
Park Manager Susie Chiabotti gave the year-end report on McKinley Park. Chiabotti said the campground had a good year.
“Our revenue was up a little bit,” she said. “Though the boat launch and daily visitors were down, and I think that was just due to gas prices.”
The fact that the township had upgraded some of the electrical sites made a difference this year, she said.
“I need to thank the township because you upgraded the electrical sites which just made a huge difference,” she said.
Chiabotti also mentioned the new dock planking and new maps.
“Dianna was so nice to put our number and email on the back, and that really helped,” she said. “Many, many people stopped and picked them up, and it was updated on the website also.”
“The township is so wonderful to work for,” she said. “I want to thank all of you three, and Jorgine and Dianna and Breitung Police Department. It’s a quiet, safe family campground.”

Public safety
In his report for the Ambulance Commission, Supervisor Chuck Tekautz said he had “nothing.” He went on to say, “It’s the same as always. As far as I know, we never got the City of Tower to commit if we needed to borrow money at the end of the delivery.” (See related story in this week’s paper on the Tower City Council’s approval of ordering the new ambulance, at their Dec. 5 special meeting.)
Supervisor Greg Dostert then asked if there was any news on Greenwood. Tekautz said, “Greenwood told us right out that they’re not going to pay. If Greenwood paid, we wouldn’t have to borrow any money, but with Greenwood not paying we’re forced into borrowing money.”
Tekautz pointed out that ambulances currently cost about $250,000.
Outgoing Eagles Nest Fire Chief Larry McCray and Eagles Nest Township board member Frank Sherman gave an update on what’s happening with Eagles Nest EMS and Fire Department and their continued interest in merging services.
“We really took a look at what we wanted to do with EMS response. We have a number of people trained. It is a higher priority for us than for you. Without having our own people to respond, in some emergency cases that can really make a difference between life and death,” said McCray.
He continued his argument for merging services stating the advantages of better coverage and training.
After discussion of the variety of configurations a merger might take, along with possible challenges posed by areas that aren’t currently as prepared to handle an emergency as neighboring communities, Board Chair Tim Tomsich said the township was interested in keeping the conversation going.

Other business
In other business the board:
• Accepted the resignation of Officer Trace Swanson, who will be moving out of state.
• Approved Resolution 2022-32 accepting donations.
• Approved an electrical rate increase at McKinley Park for 2023 season.
• Discussed $3,000 price savings for leasing three tasers rather than purchasing outright.
• Accepted the resignation of a volunteer from the fire department.
Discussed putting together a five-year plan for funding future infrastructure projects.
• Heard that CPR training is scheduled for Dec. 6 for up to 30 participants.
• Approved drafting a written contract between Fire Department and Breitung Township to address a conflict of interest regarding a TSWWB employee or an officer of the Breitung Fire and Rescue Department holding an elected township position.
• Voted to move the next regular meeting from Thursday, Dec. 22, to Tuesday, Dec. 20 due to scheduling conflicts caused by the upcoming holiday.